Feed-roller mechanism



(No Model.)

E. D. HOSTETLER.

FEED. ROLLER MECHANISM.

No. 438,886. Patented 0013.21, 1890;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD D. HOSTETLER, OF GOSHEN, INDIANA.

FEED-ROLLER MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 438,886, dated October 21, 1890.

Application filed May 27, 1890. Serial No. 363,398. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD D. HOSTETLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Goshen, in the county of Elkhart and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Feed-Roller Mechanisms; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has relation to an improvement in metal and wood working machines; and it relates more particularly to the feed mechanism, whereby a freedom of motion is obtained in the feed-rolls and a uniform adj ustment had between the same.

The invention will be fully understood from the following description and claims, when taken in connection with the annexed drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a machine, such as might be used for cutting pickets, boards, and the like, showing my improvements applied. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the saw, the feed-rollers, and their supporting parts, and the tension or weighted levers, and Fig. 3 is aperspective view of one of the branch standards or castings, showing the feed-rolls and one of the weighted levers in position.

Referring by letter to the said drawings, A indicates the main frame, in which the various parts of the machine are supported.

B indicates a power-shaft carrying a sprocket-wheel 0,, from which motion is imparted through the medium of a sprocketchain 1) to a sprocket-wheel O on one of the feed-shafts.

D D indicate the feed-shafts, which are given a rotative movement by a sprocketchain a, connecting sprocket-wheels d on the respective shafts, and the opposite ends of these shafts carry feed-rollers e in a plane with the saw.

E indicates a casting, there being two employed for each upper feed-shaft0ne near each end thereof. These castings or bearings are preferably formed with corner posts or uprights f, so arranged as to form an interspace between them and relatively at right angles to each other for the passage of weighted levers and feed-shafts, respectively. While it is preferable to form these castings entire and bolt the same to the bed or sill of the main frame, yet it is obvious that bearings may be formed from a number of parts so as to receive at right angles the feed-shafts and weighted levers without departing from the spirit of the invention.

F indicates the lower feed-shaft or idler, there being also one arranged beneath each upper feed-shaft. These shafts F bear in a box g, seated between the standards f, and the outer feed end of said shafts are braced by means of arms h, having theirlower ends secured to the main frame. Arranged between these standards f and in the same plane as the box 9 is a box or hearing i, which receives the opposite ends of the upper feedrollers or shafts, there being a coiled or other suitable spring G interposed between said boxes or bearings, so as to afford the upper feed-rollers a yielding support.

H indicates a short forked standard, which is preferably formed integral with the castings E at the inner lower ends thereof, although it is obvious that such a standard or fulcrum-bearing may be fixed to the main frame.

I indicates weighted levers. These levers are approximately straight for the greater portion of. their length, as shown, and their inner ends curve downwardly, as at k, and are provided with a plurality or perforations Z for adjustable attachment to the standard H by means of a pin or the like.

The weights L are designed to be removable and are placed on the outer ends of the levers I, where they may be secured by a pin, screw, or other suitable fastening device. By this construction it will be seen that the upper feed-rollers will be held under a yielding pressure, and by having the curve in the levers and adapting them for adjustable connection at the standards H great freedom of motion may be allowed to the rolls and stock of varying thicknesses fed without affecting the proper operation of the mechanism in any manner whatever, and I attach importance to the fact that I employ the sprocket-belts and sprocket-wheels for the driving mechanism instead of cog-gearing or friction-gearing, as by such means the shafts, and consequently ICO the feed-rollers, may be elevated to a great degree, while the feeding motion will remain steady and uniform.

M indicates the saw-arbor carrying a saw N at one end and a pulley at a suitable point to receive a guide-belt P.

When it is desirable to lift out the feedshafts or one of them, it is simply necessary to slip off the weights from the levers I and move them back on their fulcrum-point, when the shafts may be lifted out and replaced when desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is-- and bearing across the shaft in the casting, substantially as specified.

2. The casting having the corner uprights arranged to form a passage at right angles to each other, in combination with feed-shafts supported in boxes arranged in the casting, weighted levers fulcrumed at one end and bearing across the shafts, the feed-shafts carryin g sprocket-gears at one end and feedrollers at their opposite ends, asprocket-chain connecting the shafts, and springs arranged beneath the boxes of the shafts, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

EDWARD D. I-IOSTETLER. Witnesses:

CHARLES A. WEHMEYER, WILBER L. STONEX. 

